Columbus: Mayor Ginther Submits Legislation to Establish New Housing Division
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~ Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has taken a major step towards addressing the city's housing crisis by submitting legislation to Columbus City Council to create the Division of Housing Stability within the Department of Development. This move follows the mayor's 2025 State of the City address, where he outlined a comprehensive housing strategy.

The proposed legislation includes an allocation of $525,000 for initial staffing and resources for the new Division. This will include hiring an administrator and support personnel who will focus on tenant engagement, eviction prevention, and enforcement of fair housing policies. The city has also recently entered into a $1.475 million grant agreement with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to expand access to legal counsel for low-income tenants with minors in Eviction Court.

Mayor Ginther emphasized the importance of protecting the stability and dignity of all residents as Columbus continues to grow and face a housing supply crisis. He stated, "Creating the Division of Housing Stability allows us to intervene earlier, strengthen tenant protections, and make sure that help, guidance, and resources are available before families face the risk of losing their homes."

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The Division will have a proactive approach towards promoting housing stability in Columbus. This includes administering access to legal counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction, enforcing the city's Relocation Assistance Code to support tenants affected by emergency vacate orders, strengthening enforcement of fair housing protections, and expanding access to information on rent stabilization, eviction prevention programs, and tenant resources.

Michael Stevens, director of the Department of Development, highlighted that preventing homelessness is crucial in helping families stay housed. He stated that by establishing the Division of Housing Stability, they are building lasting infrastructure that connects tenants with resources and strengthens accountability in order to foster more prosperous and secure neighborhoods across Columbus.

Council President Shannon Hardin also expressed his support for this initiative. He shared his personal experience where a Legal Aid attorney helped his family member avoid homelessness by providing them with information about their rights and available resources. He stated, "The new Division of Housing Stability will bring more dedicated staff and resources to ensure these protections reach working families across our community."

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This announcement is the latest in a series of efforts by the city to increase housing affordability and stability. Since 2019, over 31,000 residential building permits have been issued, reflecting sustained efforts to increase overall housing supply. Additionally, more than 6,800 new income-qualified affordable housing units have been brought online through the deployment of voter-approved affordable housing bond dollars and the expansion of the city's Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) program.

The city has also been working towards preventing homelessness and reducing housing insecurity through targeted programs and services. This includes distributing over $92 million in Emergency Rental Assistance for nearly 30,000 households, developing 633 permanent-supportive housing units, and collaborating with organizations such as the Central Ohio Stable Housing Network and Homelessness Prevention Network.

The establishment of the Division of Housing Stability will reinforce these commitments through dedicated staffing, lasting policy tools, and accessible services for Columbus residents. The legislation codifying this division will go before City Council for a first reading at its May 19 meeting. This marks a significant step towards addressing the city's housing crisis and ensuring that all residents have access to stable and affordable housing.

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